Negligence costs dearly
According to Republica correspondent Ajit Tiwari, sheer negligence by the Department of Water-Induced Disaster Prevention (DWIDP) in repairing an embankment breached by the Bakraha River in Morang has cost the inhabitants of two villages dear. [break]
Around 600 houses in Itahara and Baradanga villages have been inundated by the river that entered into human settlements following Thursday night´s incessant rain. Some 60 people have been trapped by currents of water.
Security personnel equipped with boats and life-jackets have been mobilized in the flooded area. They have been working tirelessly to rescue the villagers.
Security personnel have attempted to move the trapped people to safe locations, according to Chief District Officer (CDO) of Morang, Suresh Adhikari. However, they refused to budge. Therefore, tents and food have been delivered to their dwellings.
The river, which had already breached one of its embankments five days ago, devastated two more embankments Thursday night.
"We had promptly informed DWIDP about the embankment breach ," said Shyam Dhungana, a resident of Itahara. "But DWIDP paid no attention. What is the use of repairing the breached embankment now after the river has wreaked havoc?"
Similarly, the Lohandra River in Morang has displaced 10 families in Belbari village.
150 families displaced
According to Republica correspondent Maheshwor Chamling Rai, a total of 150 families in Aaptar and Pokhari villages of Udayapur district have been displaced by floods. Another half a dozen villages in the district are under risk of landslides.
Locals in Triyuga have been left high and dry after the main pipe supplying their water was swept away by the Baruwakhola four days ago. Floods have eroded hundreds of hectares of lands in several villages. Crops worth millions have been damaged by the floods.
Highway breached
According to Republica correspondent Raju Adhikari, vehicular movement on the East-West Highway in Mechinagar has virtually come to a halt after floods destroyed a seven-meter culvert. Only two-wheelers are plying this road. Long-route passengers have been stranded.
Meanwhile, the number of families displaced due to floods in Jhapa has reached 150.
Flood-victims refuse relief
Republica correspondents Ramesh Kumar Poudel and Chandni Hamal in Chitwan district report that flood victims in Imiliya village have declined to accept relief material. Instead, they have demanded that their village be relocated to some safer place.
The flood that wreaked havoc in Imiliya three days ago has left hundreds of families in the lurch. However, they are not ready to accept what government officials have offered them.
"We have been asking the government to relocate our village for almost one decade," Lal Bahadur BK, a local resident, said. "However, the government never paid any attention. Now, when the flood has wreaked havoc, it sends officials to distribute relief material."
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